VOL. 53 ISSUE 15 APRIL 19, 2016 P87
bhp at 6200 rpm in the V7, which
meets Euro 3 only, with torque up
too to 62Nm/45.7 lb-ft at just 3000
rpm (against 60Nm/44.2 lb-ft). Moto
Guzzi has also fitted a new lighter
single-pin crankshaft and revised
the wet-sump lubrication system to
include oil-jets for the now slightly
domed pistons to cool the motor
better.
Those pistons are new, too, and
not just because of the V9's larger
diameter bore. Until now, the small-
block Guzzi engine has used the
Heron head design first brought
to motorcycling by Moto Morini 45
years ago on the 3½, which has
the combustion chamber recessed
in the piston crown, thus aiding
combustion and enhancing fuel
economy, leaving the cylinder head
machined flat, with parallel valves.
For the V9, Guzzi has moved to a
more conventional hemispherical
head design, each still with two
valves and a single spark plug, with
the compression ratio now raised to
10.5:1 instead of 9.6:1.
While the single camshaft is still lo-
cated at the base of the cylinder vee,
new rocker arms operate the now
splayed valves, though adjustment
is still via threaded adjusters at the
rocker arm, similar to the V7's setup.
(Left) The
Roamer gets
a larger-
diameter front
wheel and
skinnier tire
compared to
the Bobber.
(Below)
The Bobber
(pictured)
and Roamer
share the
same 853cc
90° V-twin
powerplant.
"WHERE THE TWO BIKES DIFFER ARCHITECTURALLY
IS IN THE FRONT WHEEL/TIRE SIZE."
